WEST COAST HEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3595, 6 February 1923, Page 26

WEST COAST HEWS.

(Fboss Och Own Cohbkspondent.) January 30. Front time to time there ciops up the question of the coastal road between Greymouth and Westport. The importance of such a road increases with the development of the district. Not only would its completion relieve tile isolation of the settlers along its course, but it would lessen the distance between Greymouth and Westport by aLout 40 miles, and open up some of the finest coast scenery in the Dominion. The completion of only a few miles through bush country would provide a coast road from Christchurch to Greymouth—a run almost unparallelled in beauty for the tourist, Jhe f*ct, therefore, that the Department of I'ublie Works recognises its value and has lately placed a number of unemployed on construction work here is highly grutifymg. 'J he shortage of money may, however, prevent the Government from forging the last link in this chain for llio present, and this is the more regrettable when one considers the ‘recently developed attractions at Puriakaiki, whicn would be made more accessible from the north by this road, and the fact that only 12 months ot serious work would be sufficient to finish it. —Development in Westport.— Signs of some improvement in the Westpert district are being scon. Quite a considerable number of bales of weal and of packs of sheepskins have recently been brought to \\ estport from Little Wanganui district for shipment to Wellington. A large quantity ot timber also lias lately been exported from this locality, where there are possibilities in both sawmilling and pastoral pursuits. The Co-operative Coal Mines which have, during the past year or two been opened in the Mokihinui district, have increased the railway traffic on the section between Ngakawau and rieddonville. J his fact, and the use of heavier locomotives, have necessitated the relaying of a portion of the line between these two settlements. For this purpose some 200 tons of rails have lately been landed at Westport. , • —Coal Prospecting.— In reference to the proposed coal prospecting in the Brunner district, the Minister ot Mines has indicated that the proposal to bore on private property would result in little benefit to the State CoaJ Mines reserve. It, would be better, ho thinks, to bore in the vicinity of the Harbour Board reserve. The department was, however, prepared to pay one-third of the cost of testing the private property, or to place the drill at the disposal ot the parties concerned. The attitude of the Minister was considered very satisfactory, and development may be speedily expected. —Old Peoples’ Home. — It is years since steps were first taken to secure a worthy Old Peoples’ Home at Grey mouth. The project has had from its inception a troubled career. For some months past nothing has been it, but at tne last meeting of the Grey Hospital Board inquiry was made as to the present position. Tire R.S.A., which was so successful in raising money for the local war cenotoph, had undertaken this scheme also. It appeals that their intention was to hold an art union, but the Government definitely refused permission. The association is still, however, busy evolving schemes lor raising funds, and the Hospital Board has decided to leave the matter for the piosent in their hands. Meantime, the hope of their nunc dimittis is rapidly fading irom tne eyes of the remaining inmates of the present home. —Greymouth War Memorial.— In December last a prominent townsman of Gieymouth made statements in the public press suggesting- that the committee of the Grey War Memorial intended diverting some cf the funds to other purposes. Strong exception was naturally taken by the committee to such a charge, and the secretary resigned. further developments occurred the other day at a meeting of the committee. Another member resigned his position, and, after a long discussion, it was resolved to adjourn the meeting and to ask the gentleman making the statement to attend and either,substantiate his charge or make apology. In the meantime the two members ot the committee who have resigned have been asked to reconsider their decisions. —Jottings.— The inspector of awards at Greymouth last week took proceedings against sixteen additional miners for taking part in an illegal stop-work meeting. They were each fined 10s without costs. A motor transport service has been inaugurated through the Otira Gorge, by means of which goods will be landed in Greymouth on the day of consignment from Canterbury. A West Coast tourist agency has been established in Greymouth, which will supply information and arrange bookings for trins to all parts of the district. Arrangements have been made for tho Chatham Islands children to visit Arthur’s Pass upon their return from Dunedin. T hey will probably be conveyed to the top of the Pass so that they may have a view of the Otira Gorge. Tlie New South Wales bowlers and party will \ i.sit Westport on February 11, and will receive a civic reception. They will play a game against a local team the following day and then proceed south. This is the only place in the district where they will play. Tho annual West Coast Bowling Tournament opens at Westport on February 13. The Hokitika Fire Brigade lias selected a team to compete at the Dunedin demonstration next month. An auxiliary ketch has been purchased by the settlers in South Westland for the conveyance of their goods and stork to Hokitika. Site will arrive from Auckland iti charge of Captain Ingram,, of Hokitika, in about three weeks’ time. Some time ago the member for Buller wrote to the Minister of Mines supporting the request of the coal miners that investigation be made into the cause of the outbreak of fire in the Blackball mine. A reply has now been received stating that the matter will receive careful consideration. A mob of 1200 lambs from South Westland will lie taken over to Canterbury this week, and 500 more will follow next week. Special train arrangements have been made for their conveyance from Ross to Otira and from Arthur's Pass to their destination. The coal exported from Westport last) week amounted to 10,000 tons.